“Semi-Pro” is not even semi-funny. It takes what looks like an unmissable slam dunk of a premise and turns it into a big, noisy airball of a movie without a single truly funny moment.
Will Ferrell in the 1970’s — automatically funny, right? (“Anchorman”) Will Ferrell doing sports — automatically funny, right? (“Talladega Nights,” “Blades of Glory”) Then what an inspired idea it must have seemed, to put Ferrell in the story of the outrageous outlaw league the American Basketball Association, which enlivened sports from 1967-76 with its mix of basketball and showmanship until it merged with the NBA. Box office magic, right?
Not with this script.

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